Belt hook for a power tool

ABSTRACT

A belt hook for a power tool includes an L-shaped member having a free end and an attachment end. The attachment end is configured for removably and lockingly mating with an attachment point of a power tool. The free end is configured for coupling to a storage location, such as a belt. The attachment end includes a spring arm having a knob that is configured to engage a notch in an opening defined in a power tool. Where the power tool is a nailer, the opening extends through the back leg of the nailer. The belt hook may be positioned on either side of the back leg.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The claimed invention relates to a belt hook for a power tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Power tools, and particularly pneumatic power tools, typically include ametal housing that has a handle. A hose is connected to the power toolin the vicinity of the handle. Alternatively, with battery operatedtools, a battery pack is installed on the power tool. Oftentimes, powerpacks are also installed in the vicinity of the handle. Power tools maybe powered in a number of different manners, including combustion,electric, powder-activated, pneumatic, battery, and otherwise as knownin the art.

When not in use, users of power tools often prefer to hang the tool froma belt or on other objects, such as ladders, scaffolding or the like ata job site. Power tools are often used in tight spaces. Therefore, shapeand size is important to the overall power tool design.

Nail guns are utilized to drive nails or staples into surfaces. Theytypically utilize a separate magazine portion for storing a stick ofnails or staples prior to nailing to a surface. The magazine is attachedbetween respective ends of the main housing and the handle of the nailgun. Magazines on small nailers or staplers typically hold a singlestick of nails. Additional sticks of nails are usually stored in a boxand the user must either lug the box around during use of the nailer, ormust return to the location of the box when the nailer magazine isempty.

SUMMARY

According to the invention, a belt hook for a power tool comprises anL-shaped member having a free end and an attachment end. The attachmentend is configured for removably mating with an attachment point of apower tool. The free end is configured for coupling to a storagelocation.

In another embodiment, a belt hook for a nailer comprises means forremovably attaching a nailer to a belt of a user.

In yet another embodiment, a belt hook for a power tool comprises arigid member having a free end and an attachment end. The attachment endhas a spring arm and is configured to engage and releasably lock into anopening in a power tool.

In another embodiment, a power tool comprises a housing and the belthook, described above. The housing includes an attachment openingdefined in the housing. The attachment end of the belt hook isconfigured for releasably coupling with the attachment opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of a nailer incorporating a belt hook and astorage caddy according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the nailer incorporating the belthook and storage caddy shown in FIG. 1, but with the belt hookpositioned on the opposite side of the nailer;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the nailer of FIG. 1 showing thestorage caddy in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a belt hook according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the belt hook of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the belt hook of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the belt hook of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the belt hook of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the nailer showing the back leg of thenailer incorporating an opening for receiving the belt hook;

FIG. 10 is a partial side view of the nailer similar to FIG. 9, butshowing the belt hook installed in the opening in the back leg of thenailer;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the belt hook installed in theopening on the back leg of the nailer, taken at line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a storage caddy according to theinvention;

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the storage caddy of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the storage caddy of FIG. 12, shown with thedoor in an open position;

FIG. 15 is a partial side view of the magazine having the nail caddyinstalled thereon; and

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the magazine and an endview of the storage caddy, taken at line 16-16 in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A power tool in the form of a nailer 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-3incorporating a belt hook 30 and a storage caddy 70 according to theinvention. The nailer 10 is a tool that is utilized to drive nails,brads, staples, or other fasteners into building materials, such asbuilding studs or trim work. The nailer 10 includes a housing 12 havinga handle 14, a trigger 16, a magazine 18, and a nose piece 20. Themagazine 18 houses the fasteners. A back leg extends down from thehandle 14 to meet the magazine 18. The back leg 22 provides a supportfor the magazine 18 and the handle 14. The other end of the magazine 18is connected to the nose piece 20.

A pneumatic nailer 10 is typically connected to an air compressor by ahose, which is coupled to the handle 14 utilizing a fitting 24 in aconventional manner. An air passageway extends from the fitting 24through the housing 12 of the tool to the nose piece 20. The nose piece20 is utilized for driving fasteners into a surface. The magazine 18urges nails into the nose piece 20 and the nose piece cooperates withthe trigger 16 in order to allow the release of nails from the magazine18 utilizing compressed air.

The belt hook 30 is shown positioned on the left side 26 of the nailer10 in FIGS. 1 and 3 and on the right side 28 of the nailer 10 in FIG. 2.The belt hook 30 is preferably removable from the nailer 10 andinterchangeable with opposite sides 26, 28 of the nailer 10.

The back leg 22 of the nailer 10 includes an opening 32 that extendsthrough the back leg 22, as shown in FIG. 9. The opening 32 is oval oroblong in shape and is sized and shaped to accept the belt hook 30. In apreferred embodiment, the opening 32 in the back leg 22 extends entirelythrough the back leg 22 so that the belt hook 30 can be positioned onthe left or right side 26, 28 of the nailer 10. The belt hook 30 ispositionable on either side of the back leg 22 in order to allow a leftor right handed user to position the hook 30 on a convenient side. Inaddition, the belt hook 30 is configured to be easily removable from theopening 32 in the back leg 22 in order to allow for use of the nailer 10in tight spaces. The belt hook 30 is easily positionable within theopening 32 and removable without the use of tools.

FIGS. 4-8 depict the belt hook 30. The belt hook 30 is an L-shaped,rigid member that has an attachment end 34 and a free end 36. Theattachment end 34 is for attaching to the opening 32 in the back leg 22while the free end 36 is configured for attaching to a storage location(not shown). The L-shaped member 30 includes a first leg of the L 38 anda second leg of the L 40. The first and second legs 38, 40 arepreferably perpendicular to one another. In an alternative embodiment,which is not shown, the first and second legs are angled at an angleother than 90 degrees, but are configured relative to one another sothat they allow attachment to a storage location, such as a belt,scaffolding, or otherwise.

The first leg of the L 38 is cylindrical along parts of its length. Theattachment end 34 includes an inner ledge 42 that is configured to restagainst the side 26, 28 of the back leg 22. The inner ledge 42 has adimension that is greater than the dimension of the opening 32 in theback leg 22 so that it serves as a stop against the side 26, 28 of thetool 10.

The attachment end 34 includes a middle portion 44 that is configured toseat inside the opening 32 of the back leg 22. The middle portion 44 iscylindrical and includes a cut out 46 that forms a spring arm 48. Thespring arm 48 is resilient and can bend inwardly and spring outwardlywith the application of force. The spring arm 48 has a spring arm freeend 50 that includes an outwardly extending knob 52. The knob 52 issized to mate with a notch 54 defined inside the opening 32 in the backleg 22 of the nailer 10. The notch 54 is positioned inside the opening32 so that the belt hook 30 can only be positioned in a single desiredposition, which is obtained upon rotation of the hook 30 into the properposition. The spring arm 48 together with the notch 54 provide a springloaded detent for positioning the belt hook 30 in a specific positionrelative to the tool 10.

The attachment end 34 also includes an outer stop member 56 that has ashape and size configured to fit through the opening 32 in the back leg22. The stop member 56 has outwardly extending legs 58 so that after theattachment end 34 is inserted through the opening 32 and the inner ledge42 abuts the side 26, 28 of the back leg 22, the belt hook 30 can beturned so that the outwardly extending legs 58 abut the opposite side ofthe back leg 22 to hold the belt hook 30 in position. In a preferredembodiment, where an oval opening is provided in the back leg 22, theinner ledge 42 is circular, the middle portion 44 is cylindrical, andthe outer stop member 56 is oval or oblong in cross-section. Othershapes and sizes for the opening 32 and the attachment end 34 may alsobe utilized. For example, a rectangular opening and a rectangularattachment end may be used, where the stop member 56 is rectangular. Inthis instance, the inner ledge and middle portion may remaincylindrical, or can take on another desired shape.

The second leg of the L 40 is preferably flat and smooth and may includea bend 60. The bend 60 is utilized to restrain the belt hook 30 on abelt or other surface and to make it easier to place or remove the belthook 30 from a belt or other surface.

Referring to FIG. 11, in operation, the user selects a side 26, 28 ofthe back leg 22 and inserts the attachment end 34 of the belt hook 30into the opening 32 in the back leg 22. The opening 32 in the back leg22 preferably includes the inner notch 54 configured for mating with theknob 52 on the spring arm 48. The user inserts the attachment end 34into the opening 32 until the inner ledge 42 abuts the side 26, 28 ofthe back leg 22 and the stop member 56 is positioned outside of theopening 32 on the opposite side of the back leg 22. At this position,the spring arm 48 is bent inwardly. The user then rotates the belt hook30 until the knob 52 mates with the inner notch 54, at which point thespring arm 48 snaps outwardly to lock the belt hook 30 in position.Thus, the user receives a tactile response and may hear a clicking noisewhen the belt hook 30 is rotated into the locked position. In order toremove the belt hook 30 from the opening 32, the user applies rotationalforce sufficient to dislodge the knob 52 from the inner notch 54 andbend the spring arm 48 inwardly. Once the knob 52 has been dislodgedfrom the notch 54 and the stop member 56 is aligned with the opening 32in the back leg 22, the user can withdraw the belt hook 30 out of theopening 32.

The belt hook 30 is preferably made of a plastic material, such asnylon. Other types of materials may also be used, as long as they havesufficient strength to hold a power tool.

In a preferred embodiment, the first leg 38 has a length of about 1½inches for the portion of the leg that extends outwardly from the tooland the second leg 40 has a length of about 2½ inches. Other dimensionsfor the belt hook 30 may also be utilized, as desired. It is preferredthat the first leg 38 have a length sufficient so that the belt hook 30extends past the outermost side of the tool 10. Thus, leg length will bedependent on the size of the power tool. In addition, there may beinstances where it is desirable to have a leg length so that the belthook 30 does not extend past the outermost side of the tool. The presentinvention incorporates this length as well.

A storage caddy 70 is shown in FIGS. 12-16. The storage caddy 70 is acontainer 72 or storage compartment that is configured to attach to theside of a tool 10. In the case of a nailer 10, the storage caddy 70 isconfigured to mechanically lockingly attach to a magazine 18 of thenailer 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, 15, and 16.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12-16, the storage caddy 70 is arectangular container 72 that has a lid or door 74, an internal cavity76, and a bottom surface 78. The lid 74 is openable and closeable andthe internal cavity 76 is sized and shaped to store matter. In apreferred embodiment, the lid is hinged to the container. In the case ofa nailer 10, it is advantageous to store extra sticks of nails 80 in thestorage caddy 70, as shown in FIG. 3. Since nail sticks 80 are typicallyrectangular in shape, a rectangular container is advantageous. Othershaped containers may also be selected depending on the size and shapeof the matter to be stored. The storage caddy 70 also includes anattachment mechanism 82 for attaching the caddy 70 to a power tool 10,as is discussed in greater detail below. The lid 74 includes a latch 84for mating with one of the side walls 26, 28 of the storage container72. The lid 74 may have support ridges 86 for added stability.

The mechanical attachment mechanism 82 of the storage caddy 70 is shownbest in FIGS. 13 and 16. The container 72 has four side walls 88. Themechanical attachment mechanism 82 includes leg-like members that arecontiguous with and extend from the side walls 88 of the container 72.The leg-like members 82 are shaped to seat between the ribs 92 definedon the side of a nail magazine 18. The attachment members 82 may bepositioned at either end of the container 72. Alternatively, the members82 may be positioned at spaced positions along the length of thecontainer 72, or may extend along the entire length of the container 72.In order to accommodate the attachment members 82, the bottom surface 78is raised above the legs 82. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14,one attachment member 82 is positioned on an extension 90 of thecontainer, which may be provided for aesthetic or other purposes.

The attachment mechanism 82 is mechanical in that it utilizes the shapeand size of the container for attaching to the shape and size of a tool.It does not utilize adhesive or hook and loop fasteners. The attachmentmechanism 82 is a mechanical fastener for conjoining mating parts thatare sized and shaped to fit together, like pieces of a puzzle.

The storage container 72 also includes an aperture 94 defined on one ofthe side walls 88 of the container 72 adjacent the lid 74 for use inopening the container. Since the storage container 72 is configured tohold nails, when the container 72 is entirely filled with nails, it isdifficult to open the lid 74. By using an aperture 94 on the side wall88 of the container 72, the user can insert a finger into the aperture94 in order to engage the lid 74 from the inside and pry the lid 74open. The aperture 94 may also be used as a viewing window to determinewhether any nail sticks 80 are stored inside the storage caddy 70.

In a preferred embodiment of a storage caddy 70, the caddy 70 includesindicia 96 for determining the size of nails stored in the caddy 70.This indicia 96 may be defined on the bottom surface 78 of the container72, on the lid 74 of the container 72, or on another surface, ifdesired. Warning and instructional messages may also be provided in theform of indicia on the caddy 70.

FIG. 16 shows the attachment mechanism 82 of the storage caddy 70installed between the ribs 92 of a nail magazine 18. The legs 82 of theattachment mechanism are captured between the two ribs 92 of the nailmagazine 18 to firmly hold the storage caddy 70 in position. Theattachment mechanism 82 is preferably configured to allow attachment toand disassembly of the storage caddy 70 from the nailer 10 without theuse of any tools. Legs that are shaped differently from the legs 82shown in the drawings may also be used, the invention not being limitedto the shape shown. Other types of attachment mechanisms can also beutilized. For instance, the caddy 70 may be screwed or bolted onto themagazine 18.

The storage caddy 70 is preferably positioned on the side of themagazine 18 where loading of nails occurs in order to provide easyaccess to any nails stored in the caddy 70, although the caddy 70 can beinstalled on either side of the magazine 18.

In order to install the nail caddy 70 on a magazine 18, the user firstopens the nailer magazine 18 and pulls the nail magazine cover backward.The user then moves the nail caddy 70 into alignment with the ribs 92 onthe magazine cover and slides the caddy 70 between the ribs 92. The userthen closes the magazine cover and the caddy is installed. In order toremove the nail caddy 70 from the magazine 18, the user opens the nailermagazine 18, slides the caddy 70 off the magazine cover, and closes themagazine 18.

The storage caddy 70 is preferably made of a lightweight, durablematerial, such as plastic. Other types of materials may alternatively beutilized, if desired. The storage caddy can be molded as a single piece,with the lid hinged to the container with a living hinge. Alternatively,the lid can be a separate member that is hinged with a mechanical hingeto the container.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage caddy 70 is configured to holdfive standard sticks of nails 80. The caddy 70 is also designed to holdthe full range of sizes of nails that can be utilized with the nailer10. In addition, although not shown, the caddy 70 may include a built intool for measuring the gauge of a nail to determine whether or not thenail is suited for use with the tool.

The term “nail” is used herein generically to refer to nails or staples.Likewise, the term “nailer” as used herein is used generically to referto a nailer or a stapler. In addition, while the above-description waspresented in the context of a nailer 10, other power tools may alsobenefit from the invention disclosed herein. In the case of the storagecaddy 70, while nails are discussed as being stored in the caddy 70, anytype of matter may alternatively be stored in the caddy 70, and thecaddy 70 may be specially designed such that the interior cavity 76 isshaped to accept other types of matter. For instance, with a drill, itmay be desirable to install drill bits or drills inside the caddy 70.For a power saw, it may be desirable to install extra saw blades in thecaddy 70.

While various features of the claimed invention are presented above, itshould be understood that the features may be used singly or in anycombination thereof. Therefore, the claimed invention is not to belimited to only the specific embodiments depicted herein.

Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications mayoccur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed inventionpertains. The embodiments described herein are exemplary of the claimedinvention. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to makeand use embodiments having alternative elements that likewise correspondto the elements of the invention recited in the claims. The intendedscope of the invention may thus include other embodiments that do notdiffer or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of theclaims. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as setforth in the appended claims.

1. A belt hook for a power tool comprising: an L-shaped member having afree end and an attachment end, with the attachment end configured forremovably mating with an attachment point of a power tool and the freeend configured for coupling to a storage location.
 2. The belt hook ofclaim 1, wherein the free end of the L-shaped member is configured forcoupling to a belt of a user.
 3. The belt hook of claim 1, wherein theattachment end of the L-shaped member includes a spring arm.
 4. The belthook of claim 3, wherein the attachment end includes an inner ledge, amiddle portion having the spring arm, and an outer stop member, with theattachment end being configured to extend into and through an opening ina power tool and be turnable within the opening to lock the attachmentend to a power tool.
 5. The belt hook of claim 3, wherein the spring armincludes an outwardly extending knob, configured to removably lockinglymate with an attachment point of a power tool.
 6. The belt hook of claim1, wherein the L-shaped member has a first leg and a second leg, withthe first leg being oriented perpendicular to the second leg.
 7. Thebelt hook of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped member is plastic.
 8. A belthook for a nailer comprising: means for removably attaching a nailer toa belt of a user.
 9. A belt hook for a power tool comprising: a rigidmember having a free end and an attachment end, with the attachment endhaving a spring arm, the attachment end configured to engage andreleasably lock into an opening in a power tool.
 10. The belt hook ofclaim 9, wherein the spring arm includes a knob configured for matingwith a notch defined in an opening of a power tool.
 11. The belt hook ofclaim 9, wherein the attachment end includes an inner ledge, a middleportion that includes the spring arm, and an outer stop member, with theouter stop member having an oval cross-section, the middle portionhaving a cylindrical shape, and the inner ledge having a circularcross-section.
 12. A power tool comprising: a housing having anattachment opening defined in the housing; and the belt hook of claim 1,wherein the attachment end is configured for releasably coupling withthe attachment opening.
 13. The power tool of claim 12, wherein theattachment opening extends through a portion of the housing.
 14. Thepower tool of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a leg and theattachment opening extends through the leg.
 15. The power tool of claim12, wherein the attachment end of the belt hook includes a spring armfor locking into the attachment opening.
 16. The power tool of claim 15,wherein the spring arm includes an outwardly extending knob and theattachment opening includes a notch configured to accept the knob of thespring arm.
 17. The power tool of claim 14, wherein the attachment endincludes an inner ledge configured to abut a side of the leg of thepower tool in the vicinity of the attachment opening, a middle portionconfigured to extend into the attachment opening and including thespring arm, and an outer stop member configured to extend out of theopening on the opposite side of the leg from the inner ledge, said stopmember configured to hold the belt hook securely in position on the legupon rotation of the belt hook.
 18. The power tool of claim 12, whereinthe belt hook has a first leg of the L extending perpendicularly from asurface of the housing and a second leg of the L extendingperpendicularly from the first leg of the L, and the second leg of the Lis configured to engage a belt of a user.
 19. A power tool comprising; ahousing having an attachment opening defined therethough; and the belthook of claim 9, wherein the attachment end is configured for releasablycoupling with the attachment opening.